The case for Chad Pennington as backup QB

At 35, he could easily step in if Sanchez went down with injury and ultimately he could become an effective QB coach down the line.

I don’t want a backup QB (Like Brunell) who you can’t trust to complete a quarter much less a game, hell I wouldn’t trust Pennington throwing in practice. His shoulder tendons are like cheese on a pizza at this point. They’ll just stretch and get droopy then snap off.

are absolutely nuts!!! I cannot believe that 75% of those who voted, voted yes. There is NO case for Chad being the backup. He is done. He’s dumb if he ever suits up again. I loved Chad when he was here, but he has zero arm strength any more and he’s fragile as an eggshell. He’s never coached before, so we don’t even know what kind of coach he’d make. You guys need to let go of Chad.

BUT like someone said above, he’s unproven, and that’s not what Sanchez needs right now. If you want to bring him in as a “consultant” and see if he has anything useful to add, I say fine.

But, given the “coaching up” that Sanchez has seemingly missed out on these past couple years – whether it was because the staff focused on gimmicks (color coding, buzzers, etc.), they were getting Sanchez to play not to lose, or because they were just being buddies – I think you need to give him ONE guy who is really good. Someone like a Haley or a Clements who will give him a particular message and set of tools and then impose discipline in sticking to that. It’s harder than it sounds to break a QB down and start over. It would’ve been better if Sanchez hadn’t picked up bad habits in the first place. But he has experience now and, if the bad can be undone, you have a shot. But the QB coach has to have tons of experience and be firm and disciplined. I don’t think Chad can step into that role.

there are positive and negative things to this move
POSITIVES
cost
played for us before
played for our new OC
if healthy could be a decent game manager
could help our 2 young QB’s deal better with playing in new york

NEGATIVES
old
health issues ( made of glass )
team moving backwards instead of forward
no know coaching ability

i’m sure lots of thing would need to go wrong for this to happen but i wouldn’t rule it out

You don’t want Brunell because he’s old, not very good at this stage, and isn’t a legitimate push to Sanchez.. His role is to mentor him.

You want to replace him with another old QB, who has health concerns, and isn’t a legitimate push to Sanchez? His role would be to mentor him.

That sounds too similar of the position NYJ is in right now. Sanchez doesn’t need more mentoring, he needs someone that is a legitimate threat to his job security. If he works best under pressure, put pressure on his job security. Look for Kyle Orton, Vince Young, Chad Henne, or any mid-tier QB that can push him. Look for a potential 2nd round or 3rd round QB in the draft. Just don’t go looking for more of the same. You hope to mentor Sanchez and keep on hoping he improves, you’ll be disappointed to find that your veteran backup QB retired, Sanchez was found not to be the answer, and you’re left without a QB. I am a firm believer in “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” The Jets need to look for someone that can take over if Sanchez fails. If they think that is McElroy, then fine. If not, they need to find a legitimate #2 QB that can be a #1 QB if needed.

Chad Pennington embodies everything that is needed out of a quarterback. He is a leader, he is a professional, he is a team player, he doesn’t mind being a back up and mentoring, he is a big time student of the game. What he is not, is a starting quarterback. The Jets have Sanchez and McElroy who was drafted to be the career #2 for Sanchez anyway.

Some of you say he’s washed up, or he’s brittle. To that I say so what? Since when do you have to worry the health of a #3 QB. he is only needed in case of extreme emergency. Other than that, he provides season long stability at the position.

I was listening to a radio talk show the other day. They had Anthony Becht on. He used to play TE for the Jets if you forgot about him. They asked him who’s the best quarterback he ever played with as far as being a leader of a football team. He said hands down it was Chad Pennington. Mind you he’s played with Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger, Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, and Kevin Kolb. He says none of them commands a team like Chad Pennington.

The good thing is that he doesn’t need to be the #2 guy. He can have just as much of an impact being the #3 QB. In my mind if he wants to play for a vet minimum, it’s a no brainer. Him in Sanchez’s ear all year long alone is worth a contract.

I think he could be a combination #3 and QB Coach. In that scenario he would be a cheap fix as a mentor and a last resort to play if the other two are injured. He would also replace Cavanagh so you kill two birds with one stone. There were too many peolple telling Sanchez what to do Rex, Schotty, Brunell and Cavanagh. Get rid of Brunell & Cavanaugh and replace with Chad.

Pennington needs to be Miami’s backup.

Chad is on my favorite athletes of all time, but he isnt the answer. I would prefer he comes in as the QB coach if interested. I really hope Chad is done as a player, I dont want to see this guy getting hurt.